INTRO: U-S Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has begun a second day of unprecedented talks in North Korea, where she has been discussing ways to improve long-strained relations. From Pyongyang, V-O-A's Kyle King reports.

TEXT: The secretary is expected to hold another round of talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, but the time of the meeting is not yet known.

Monday, Ms. Albright told the North Korean leader the two countries are moving toward a fundamental improvement in their relations. But she says differences developed over many decades cannot be eliminated overnight.

Ms. Albright - who is the most senior U-S official to visit North Korea - held more than three hours of unscheduled talks with the North Korean leader.

U-S officials describe the talks as useful and substantial, saying they focused on U-S concerns - including North Korea's ballistic missile program and exports of military technology.

North Korea is believed to be seeking its removal from the U-S list of state sponsors of terrorism and the lifting of U-S sanctions.

During Monday's meeting Ms. Albright also delivered a letter to the North Korean leader from President Clinton, outlining his ideas for improving relations.

One of the goals of Ms Albright's talks has been to explore the possibility of a visit by President Clinton, whose term expires in January.